Editor's Letter: Taking care of their own
People have an instinct to take care of their own, but depending on the circumstances, this bit of human nature can be problematic and even scandalous.
People have an instinct to take care of their own, but depending on the circumstances, this bit of human nature can be problematic and even scandalous. Consider last week’s state report on the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, which revealed that some 90 minutes before school officials issued a campus-wide alert, at least two administrators warned loved ones that a killer was on the loose. The shooter had already killed two people in a dorm, but officials were concerned about touching off a panic. In the absence of a lockdown, kids went to the classroom building where the killer rampaged. Relatives of the 32 students and teachers killed that day were outraged to learn that some members of the community may have gained a survival advantage due to their inside connections.
We’re more accustomed to seeing this kind of display in politics, in the form of nepotism and cronyism. The most recent case in point: News accounts last week revealed that Sen. Max Baucus had tried to get his girlfriend, Melodee Hanes, appointed as Montana’s U.S. attorney, neglecting to inform the Obama administration of their personal involvement. Baucus says he pushed for Hanes, a former state prosecutor who once worked for him, only because she was “highly qualified.” She ultimately took herself out of contention, but Republicans are now calling for an ethics investigation and Democrats are rallying to Baucus’ defense. “Max is a good friend, an outstanding senator, and he has my full support,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. A good friend, huh? That pretty much settles that.
Eric Effron
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 2, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - 2025 plans, debate questions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Can Cast Away rehabilitate Phillip Schofield?
Talking Point The disgraced presenter has swapped the 'This Morning' sofa for a remote desert island off Madagascar
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Editor's letter
feature
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Editor's letter: Are college athletes employees?
feature The National Labor Relations Board's decision deeming scholarship players “employees” of Northwestern University has many worrying that college sports itself will soon be history.
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Editor's letter
feature
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Editor's letter: When a bot takes your job
feature Now that computers can write news stories, drive cars, and play chess, we’re all in trouble.
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Editor's letter: Electronic cocoons
feature Smartphones have their upside, but city streets are now full of people walking with their heads down.
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Editor's letter: The real cause of income inequality
feature When management and stockholders pocket all the profits, the middle class falls further behind.
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Editor's letter: The real reason you’re so forgetful
feature When you consider how much junk we’ve stored in our brains, it’s no surprise we can’t remember our PINs.
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Editor's letter: Ostentatious politicians
feature The McDonnells’ indictment for corruption speaks volumes about the company elected officials now keep.
By The Week Staff Last updated